Any photographers in here?

[runningman]

Looking to get my wife a nice digital camera for Christmas, she has always been interested in photography and will probably be taking classes soon.  Right now we have a Canon Elan IIe that we got about 12 yrs ago.  Was wondering what that pro's would recommend.  Can I use the lenses we have on the Canon digital camera's.  Costco has a Nikon setup on sale right now, what do you guys think of this? http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11238544&cm_mmc=BCEmail_246-_-Banner-_-4-_-NikonD40X_BCEmail_246

Thanks for any info..........Matt

[C_stripes]

Nikon D-70

[69_500]

Well not to call myself a professional but I'd say that if she is really looking for a professional operating camera the Nikons aren't a bad choice. I personally use a Nikon D100, and a D200. I'm looking at a D300 here in a few weeks.

The D70 is a pretty nice set up for a novice, easy to use and very sharp. Has the same resolution as the D200, however there are verious options on the 200 that aren't on the 70 or the 80. The Nikons D100, D200 and D300 are their entry level professional camera's. The D1X, D2X, D2H, D3H are the real top of the line models. But if your not looking to drop $4,500 on a body then rule those out. You can pick up a used D100 for around the $600 range, and it is very capable camera. Megapixel isn't the only thing you should consider when looking at these types of camera's. You can't compare the photo's from a D40 to the D100 even though the megapixels are the same, the quality isn't.

Personal choice would be to say look for a D200, but wait a few more weeks as the D300's will be out by then, and the prices on the d200's will go down. The new D300 is supposed to be in the $1,700 range for a body, which should take the D200's down to around $1,000 for a body. Not too bad when you consider its a pro camera set up.

[Musicman]

The Nikon Package you were looking at seems pretty good for the purposes you've described. If you wanted to step it up a bit to a more professional level, and still stay within a reasonable price level, you might want to have a look at the Pentax K10D system. 

[alfanta]

I also would not call myself a professional, more of a hobby. but My friend and I are really into photography. We go on road trips withour digital cameras a lot. He has the Nikon D40 like what you have  alink to and I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTi. Both provide very good pictures and are easy to use. The nikon lenses I believe are a little better, but the canon was cheaper when i got it. Both are good, and entry level SLR cameras I would say go for it

[69_500]

Having shot with both Nikon and Cannon I can say there are good and bad about each. Nikon to me does have the superior lens though at this point. The Cannon is more user friendly to new comers though. Overall I prefer the Nikon though.

[runningman]

Thanks for the input guys, I am still looking over all the specs on cameras.  I would like to get a Nikon but may get a canon if we can use the lenses that we already bought for our elanII.  I will have to check and see if they are compatible

[alfanta]

Chances are the lenses are not compatible. You shouldn't have too much of a problem figuring it out.

[runningman]

Okay, after reading a bunch of reviews and what not I think I am sold on the d300.  I am going to look at one today and check it out.  69_500 did you pick one of these up yet?  What lens do you recommend to get her started?  Thanks  Matt

[Charger74]

For those looking for a place that reviews all cameras and is fairly balanced, this website it a pretty good place to help make your choice.


http://www.steves-digicams.com/

[SeattleCharger]

   Does anyone know why my digital camera (canon, nothing close to that nikon, my canon is cheaper and 7.2 megepixels, it takes almost the same quality photos and my old much cheaper kodak dig. with about 2 or 3 megapixes,),    the only setting I change on the canon is making the size of picture smaller setting, but keeping the quality setting on the high one, thanks, sry to highjack thread,   
   

[Musicman]

For those looking for a place that reviews all cameras and is fairly balanced, this website it a pretty good place to help make your choice.


http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Yup, that's a good place to start... good advice Charger74

[69_500]

I haven't had a chance to pick up the D300 yet. I'm probably going to wait until after the new year. I need to clear out a few spare charger parts from the garage to make up the difference. As far as lens, they have a very nice 18mm-200mm f3.8-5.4 lens that is supposed to be coming out very soon. It would be a great all around lens. Not perfect for low light situations, but very good for an all around lens. With it being capable of focusing within 11" of the object being viewed, and with the 200mm as the top end, that makes for a great zoom.  Right now I use 3 different lens to cover the same aspect ratio. I have a 17mm-35 f 2.8 lens, a 28mm-70mm f2.8 lens, and a 70mm-200mm f2.8 lens. Each one those lens went for around $1,200 new, but the one I'm talking about with is supposed to be in the $500 range. So you figure you could get the same shots except in very low light, for about 1/6th of what i've paid so far. I think I paid $1,500 for the first lens, $1,400 for the mid range, and $1,200 for the zoom one, which 3 years ago wasn't a bad deal as they didn't and still don't have one that covers that whole range in the f2.8 or greater range.

[runningman]

Thanks for all the info, I got one the other day.  There was only one store in the area that had any, it was a package with the 18-135 lens.  I have got her set up with a class next week and some classes in January.  Looks like an awesome camera, took some quick shots and they look great.